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Limbo is not a place a fighter with strong career momentum likes to be. But that’s exactly where streaking heavyweight puncher Shannon Briggs (47-4-1, 41 KOs) finds himself, as he waits for IBF Champ Wladimir Klitschko and his team to finalize their end of a bout contract for a title defense on November 11 at Madison Square Garden.
While Briggs and his manager, Scott Hirsch, say they’re being assured behind the scenes by Klitschko’s manager, Shelly Finkel, that the fight is a certainty, rumors and the amount of time going by before finalizing would indicate otherwise.
Despite HBO’s Larry Merchant’s recent unflattering remarks about the Briggs/Klitschko match-up, a surprising number of experts are giving Briggs a real shot to pull off the upset.
Riding the confidence that comes from fighting often and winning by knockout (11 consecutive times), Briggs says he’d like Klitschko to make a decision quickly, so that he can prepare for the shot he’s been aiming for since he began his comeback, or begin looking in other directions.
Are you going to be fighting Wladimir Klitschko in November?
I plan on fighting and beating Wlad on November 11 in Madison Square Garden and winning the World Heavyweight Championship.
Have you received a contract for the fight?
Yes. I got a contract August 10 and we've had an agreement to do this fight since the end of June.
Was there a disagreement over money or a key issue that delayed the contract?
Absolutely not. We agreed on the purse in late June. I was told they switched lawyers during the negotiations and that it was delayed because of trips by Shelly Finkel and Wladimir. Shelly told me it was a done deal.
Were you ever told you actually had the fight one hundred percent?
Funny you ask that because Shelly told me I had the fight “1000%.” I don't know exactly what 1000% is, but judging by how long it’s taking to finalize this fight, it's less than one hundred percent.
Have you heard they offered the fight to (new WBC Champ) Oleg Maskaev?
Of course I've heard it. At first I couldn't believe it because I've always had respect for Shelly and the Klitschkos. I don't know what to think. I believe when you make a deal and give your word, you live by it.
What are your thoughts on Maskaev vs. Rahman?
I think Oleg put on a great performance when everyone thought he was through. I'm one of the few who picked Oleg to win. I have lots of respect for him coming through to beat the odds.
Do you think Oleg could be ready to fight on November 11?
Could he fight? I'm sure he's taken short-notice fights. He's a tough guy and he could fight, but that's different from being 100% ready. There's no way at 37 years old and after a 12-round war you could get back in camp in three weeks at 100%. You need at least two months intensive training, and from what I understand, he's got an injured thumb and bad back. So the bottom line is to push him in to a fight so quick would be to cheat Oleg and the fans.
Would you like to fight Oleg someday?
After I beat Klitschko, I want to fight Oleg, (WBO Champ) Sergei Liakhovich, and (WBA Champ) Nicolai Valuev. I'd love to fight them all. I want to bring all the titles back to the USA and back to Brownsville.
Have you had offers to fight any of the other champions?
Yes. I had offers to flight Valuev and Liakhovich. I had an offer for a non-title fight on HBO and for an eliminator in Germany. I turned them all down because I was assured I had the Klitschko fight.
What's next for Shannon Briggs if the Klitschko fight doesn't come off?
I can't even think that way. I'm already in training for Klitschko and all I can think of is knocking him out on November 11.
While Briggs and his manager, Scott Hirsch, say they’re being assured behind the scenes by Klitschko’s manager, Shelly Finkel, that the fight is a certainty, rumors and the amount of time going by before finalizing would indicate otherwise.
Despite HBO’s Larry Merchant’s recent unflattering remarks about the Briggs/Klitschko match-up, a surprising number of experts are giving Briggs a real shot to pull off the upset.
Riding the confidence that comes from fighting often and winning by knockout (11 consecutive times), Briggs says he’d like Klitschko to make a decision quickly, so that he can prepare for the shot he’s been aiming for since he began his comeback, or begin looking in other directions.
Are you going to be fighting Wladimir Klitschko in November?
I plan on fighting and beating Wlad on November 11 in Madison Square Garden and winning the World Heavyweight Championship.
Have you received a contract for the fight?
Yes. I got a contract August 10 and we've had an agreement to do this fight since the end of June.
Was there a disagreement over money or a key issue that delayed the contract?
Absolutely not. We agreed on the purse in late June. I was told they switched lawyers during the negotiations and that it was delayed because of trips by Shelly Finkel and Wladimir. Shelly told me it was a done deal.
Were you ever told you actually had the fight one hundred percent?
Funny you ask that because Shelly told me I had the fight “1000%.” I don't know exactly what 1000% is, but judging by how long it’s taking to finalize this fight, it's less than one hundred percent.
Have you heard they offered the fight to (new WBC Champ) Oleg Maskaev?
Of course I've heard it. At first I couldn't believe it because I've always had respect for Shelly and the Klitschkos. I don't know what to think. I believe when you make a deal and give your word, you live by it.
What are your thoughts on Maskaev vs. Rahman?
I think Oleg put on a great performance when everyone thought he was through. I'm one of the few who picked Oleg to win. I have lots of respect for him coming through to beat the odds.
Do you think Oleg could be ready to fight on November 11?
Could he fight? I'm sure he's taken short-notice fights. He's a tough guy and he could fight, but that's different from being 100% ready. There's no way at 37 years old and after a 12-round war you could get back in camp in three weeks at 100%. You need at least two months intensive training, and from what I understand, he's got an injured thumb and bad back. So the bottom line is to push him in to a fight so quick would be to cheat Oleg and the fans.
Would you like to fight Oleg someday?
After I beat Klitschko, I want to fight Oleg, (WBO Champ) Sergei Liakhovich, and (WBA Champ) Nicolai Valuev. I'd love to fight them all. I want to bring all the titles back to the USA and back to Brownsville.
Have you had offers to fight any of the other champions?
Yes. I had offers to flight Valuev and Liakhovich. I had an offer for a non-title fight on HBO and for an eliminator in Germany. I turned them all down because I was assured I had the Klitschko fight.
What's next for Shannon Briggs if the Klitschko fight doesn't come off?
I can't even think that way. I'm already in training for Klitschko and all I can think of is knocking him out on November 11.
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